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The training of early stage researchers for the development of technologies to monitor concentrations of micro and nanoplastics in water for their presence, uptake and threat to animal and human life.

Description du projet

DEENESFRITPL

Une formation pour mesurer le risque sanitaire des microplastiques

Le plastique est un matériau important et omniprésent dans notre économie et notre vie quotidienne. Les fuites de plastique constituent également une menace importante pour notre bien-être et l’environnement. Réduire la quantité de déchets plastiques générés chaque année reste un défi énorme. Chaque année, jusqu’à 300 000 tonnes de microplastiques sont rejetées dans l’environnement. Le projet MONPLAS, financé par l’UE, formera des chercheurs en début de carrière à surveiller les concentrations de micro et nanoplastiques dans l’eau afin de détecter leur présence, leur absorption et leur menace pour la vie animale et humaine. Le projet a identifié le besoin de développer des technologies appropriées qui sont robustes, faciles à utiliser et peu coûteuses pour effectuer des mesures normalisées, ainsi que la formation d’ingénieurs pour le développement et l’exploitation des méthodes.

Objectif

Micro and nanoplastics have recently been found in our soil, tap water, bottled water, beer and even in the air we breathe, with a growing concern about the potential health risks they pose to us. Whether that is through ingesting the harmful bacteria they pick up when coming from wastewater plants, or just through injury and death of cells through contact, possibly through absorption of nanoplastics by cells, we really don’t know. Which is why there is an urgent need for more research on their toxicity and also why a new EC drinking water directive is to be published in 2019 stating that water companies will need to measure concentrations of microplastics from within two years for positive release and inspection. However, even though a standard measurement method will be published in 2019 for water, its necessary use of existing and expensive scientific laboratory equipment, such as microscopy and FTIR or Raman spectroscopy, will make it prohibitively expensive for in line use for many companies across Europe especially considering its need for highly trained personnel. There is therefore a need to develop suitable technologies for a robust, easy to use and low cost industrial instrument, whose measurements will correspond directly to the aforementioned standard, as well as train engineers for method development and operation. Given these multiple technical and analytical challenges, and that global production of plastic, that can take hundreds of years to biodegrade, is expected to triple by 2050; we propose a timely four year Initial Training Network to train multiple Early State Researchers throughout various scientific areas. Consisting of some of Europe's greatest experts in their fields it will provide tomorrows talent with the skills and knowledge to tackle possibly one of mankind's greatest threats to its existence whilst they jointly develop the technologies for the industrial instrument in collaboration with end-users and equipment manufacturers.

Champ scientifique

Mots‑clés

Programme(s)

Thème(s)

Appel à propositions

H2020-MSCA-ITN-2019

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Régime de financement

MSCA-ITN - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Innovative Training Networks (ITN)

Coordinateur

ASTON UNIVERSITY
Contribution nette de l'UE
€ 606 345,12
Adresse
Aston triangle
B4 7ET Birmingham
Royaume-Uni

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Région
West Midlands (England) West Midlands Birmingham
Type d’activité
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
Liens
Autres sources de financement
€ 0,00

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Dernière mise à jour: 13 Juin 2023

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Permalink: https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/860775/fr

European Union, 2023